Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us and terms apply to offers listed (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate credit cards to write unbiased product reviews.
The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students, Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students, BankAmericard® Credit Card for Students. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.
Introduction to Student Credit Cards
If you’re a student without established credit, there are still plenty of credit cards you can qualify for. Then, once you’ve improved your credit score by using a credit card responsibly, it can be easier to upgrade to one of the best credit cards that earn lucrative rewards.
Featured Student Card Offer
Firstcard® Credit Builder Card with Cashback for College Students
Recommended Credit
No credit history
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.No prior credit history required
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Available to international applicants who don’t have a Social Security Number
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.No annual fee, no interest, account minimums, and no overdraft fees.
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Earns up to 15% cash back with some retailers
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Earn interest on the money you use to secure the card
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con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.Requires a cash deposit equal to the credit limit you want
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con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.Customer service offered via email only (no phone number)
Product Details
- A whole new way to build credit: build your credit score without worrying about overspending.
- No credit checks and no credit history are required to open a credit card
- Accept international students without an SSN – apply with a passport.
- No annual fee, no account minimum, no interest, and no overdraft fee.
- Get a monthly 5% cashback on 12 most-loved educational platforms for students such as ChatGPT, Chegg, Grammarly, Canva, Adobe, Headspace and more.
- Get up to 15% Merchant Cashback at 29,000 partner merchants
- Get up to 10% Random Cashback on all qualifying purchases
- Earn 1.25% APY with Firstcard or 4.25% APY with Firstcard+ on the money in your Firstcard.
- Earn an additional 1% Unlimited Cashback with Firstcard+ on all purchases on top of the two cashback offerings (Merchant Cashback and Random Cashback) all Firstcard members are currently enjoying.
- Monitor your credit score right in the app with Firstcard+
- Instant access to your virtual card once your account is approved and you add your virtual card to your phone’s digital wallet.
- Your money is protected with Firstcard — automatically insured up to $250,000 by FDIC (backed by the U.S. government).
Compare the Best Student Credit Cards
Best for bonus cash back in student-friendly categories
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Regular APR
19.99% – 29.99% Variable
Recommended Credit
Average, Fair, Limited
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Good welcome bonus with an easy spending requirement
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Strong 3% cash back earning in popular everyday spending categories for students like dining, entertainment, eligible streaming services, and grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®)
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
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con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.Only available to college students
Product Details
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), with 1% on all other purchases
- Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
- Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they’re approved for a Capital One credit card
- Earn 8% cash back on entertainment purchases when you book through the Capital One Entertainment portal
- Build your credit with responsible card use
- Whether you’re at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you
Best flat-rate cash back earning
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Regular APR
19.99% – 29.99% Variable
Recommended Credit
Average, Fair, Limited
-
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Good welcome bonus with an easy spending requirement
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Solid cash back earning on all purchases with no bonus categories to track
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
-
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.Only available to college students
Product Details
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
- Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
- Lock your card in the Capital One Mobile app if it’s misplaced, lost or stolen
- Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they’re approved for a Capital One credit card
- Build your credit with responsible card use
- Whether you’re at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you
Best flat-rate cash back with an intro 0% APR
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students
Intro APR
0% intro APR for your first 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account
Regular APR
16.99% – 26.99% Variable
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
-
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Good welcome bonus and earning
-
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Generous 0% APR offer on purchases and balance transfers
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.No annual fee
-
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.Foreign transaction fees
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con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.Few travel and purchase benefits
Product Details
- Earn an online $200 cash bonus after making $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- 0% intro APR for your first 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account
- No annual fee
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students
Intro APR
0% intro APR for your first 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account
Regular APR
17.99% – 27.99% Variable
25,000 online bonus points
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
-
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Generous welcome bonus for a student credit card
-
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Earns flexible points you can use toward a wide variety of travel purchases
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con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.Other travel rewards cards have higher earning rates
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con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.Few travel-related benefits compared to other travel cards
Product Details
- The information related to the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students has been collected by Business Insider and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
- 25,000 online bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days from account opening (redeemed as a $250 statement credit toward travel and dining purchases)
- Unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all purchases everywhere, no expiration on points
- No annual fee or foreign transaction fees
- 0% intro APR for your first 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account
Best with an extra-long 0% intro APR
BankAmericard® Credit Card for Students
Intro APR
0% intro APR for the first 21 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers made within 60 days of account opening
Regular APR
15.74% – 25.74% Variable
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
-
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Ultra-long introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.No annual fee
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.No penalty APR
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con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.No welcome bonus offer or ongoing rewards for spending
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con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.Foreign transaction fees
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con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.Requires at least good credit to qualify
Product Details
- The information related to the BankAmericard® Credit Card for Students has been collected by Business Insider and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
- 0% intro APR for the first 21 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers made within 60 days of account opening, then 15.74% – 25.74% Variable APR (3% fee applies to all balance transfers).
- No annual fee.
- No penalty APR (other account pricing and terms apply).
- Access your FICO® Score for free within Online Banking or your Mobile Banking app.
- Contactless Cards.
Best for rotating bonus categories
Discover it® Student Cash Back
Intro APR
0% intro APR for six months on purchases
Regular APR
18.24% – 27.24% Variable
Earn Unlimited Cashback Match™
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.From April 1 to June 30, 2024, you can earn 5% cash back at gas stations & electric vehicle charging stations, home improvement stores, and public transit on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Discover matches your cash back after the first year
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con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.Not the most rewarding cash-back card for non-bonus purchases
Product Details
- Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
- Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases-automatically.
- Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
- No credit score required to apply.
- Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
- No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 18.24% – 27.24% applies.
- Terms and conditions apply.
Best rewards for gas and dining
Discover it® Student Chrome
Intro APR
0% intro APR for six months on purchases
Regular APR
18.24% – 27.24% Variable
Earn Unlimited Cashback Match™
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter and 1% cash back on all other purchases
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Discover matches cash back after your first account year
-
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.Low cap for earning 2% cash back (up to $1,000 per quarter in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants)
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con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.Other cards offer better cash-back rates
Product Details
- Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
- Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
- No credit score required to apply.
- Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
- No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 18.24% – 27.24% applies.
- Terms and conditions apply.
Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card
Regular APR
18.24% – 32.24% Variable
Recommended Credit
No credit and limited credit to Excellent
-
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.No fees
-
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Earn 1% cash back on every purchase. Earn 1.25% back after making six on-time payments. Then, earn 1.5% back after making 12 on-time payments on your card
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Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.You can build credit with responsible credit use
-
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.N/A
Insider’s Take
If you have a limited credit history, the Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card, issued by WebBank, may be easier to qualify for. The card doesn’t charge any fees and offers between 1.00% – 1.50% cash back on everyday purchases, making it one of the best credit cards for bad credit. If you’ve already got a good credit score, though, you should consider a different rewards credit card with better earnings and benefits.
Petal 2 Visa Credit Card
Best for international students
Firstcard® Credit Builder Card with Cashback for College Students
Recommended Credit
No credit history
-
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.No prior credit history required
-
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Available to international applicants who don’t have a Social Security Number
-
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.No annual fee, no interest, account minimums, and no overdraft fees.
-
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Earns up to 15% cash back with some retailers
-
Check mark icon
A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction.Earn interest on the money you use to secure the card
-
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.Requires a cash deposit equal to the credit limit you want
-
con icon
Two crossed lines that form an ‘X’.Customer service offered via email only (no phone number)
Product Details
- A whole new way to build credit: build your credit score without worrying about overspending.
- No credit checks and no credit history are required to open a credit card
- Accept international students without an SSN – apply with a passport.
- No annual fee, no account minimum, no interest, and no overdraft fee.
- Get a monthly 5% cashback on 12 most-loved educational platforms for students such as ChatGPT, Chegg, Grammarly, Canva, Adobe, Headspace and more.
- Get up to 15% Merchant Cashback at 29,000 partner merchants
- Get up to 10% Random Cashback on all qualifying purchases
- Earn 1.25% APY with Firstcard or 4.25% APY with Firstcard+ on the money in your Firstcard.
- Earn an additional 1% Unlimited Cashback with Firstcard+ on all purchases on top of the two cashback offerings (Merchant Cashback and Random Cashback) all Firstcard members are currently enjoying.
- Monitor your credit score right in the app with Firstcard+
- Instant access to your virtual card once your account is approved and you add your virtual card to your phone’s digital wallet.
- Your money is protected with Firstcard — automatically insured up to $250,000 by FDIC (backed by the U.S. government).
Best Student Credit Cards of May 2024
- Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best bonus cash back in student-friendly categories
- Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best flat-rate cash back
- Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students
: Best flat-rate cash back with an intro 0% APR - Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students
: Best for travel and study abroad
BankAmericard® Credit Card for Students
: Best for extended 0% intro APR - Discover it® Student Cash Back: Best for rotating bonus categories
- Discover it® Student Chrome: Best rewards for gas and dining
- Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card: Best for building credit
- Firstcard® Credit Builder Card with Cashback for College Students: Best for students who don’t have a Social Security Number, such as international students
Best Student Credit Card Reviews
Students often struggle to build credit due to limited income and various other barriers to entry. But there are several issuers who specifically seek to meet their needs, and Business Insider’s credit cards team has chosen the best student cards of 2024.
Here are the top student credit cards to consider if you’re new to credit. But if you already have a good credit score and a credit history under your belt, you may want to check out our guides to the best cash back credit cards and best no annual fee credit cards as well.
Best Bonus Cash Back in Student-Friendly Categories: Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great pick for students who spend a lot on dining, groceries, entertainment, and eligible streaming services. You’ll earn 3% cash back in all of these categories with no limits, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
You can earn a $50 cash bonus once you spend $100 on purchases within three months of account opening. That’s a low minimum spending requirement that most students can easily reach.
The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card also offers very good benefits for a student card, including:
- Price protection***
- Extended warranty***
- Car rental coverage***
- Roadside dispatch***
- Travel accident insurance***
- Complimentary concierge services
Best Flat Rate Cash Back: Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
If you’re a student with no time to keep track of bonus categories and prefer straightforward cash back on all your purchases, the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a good choice. The welcome offer is $50 cash bonus once you spend $100 on purchases within three months of account opening.
With this card, you can earn a lot of cash back quickly — all eligible purchases earn 1.5% back, with no caps. It also comes with benefits you don’t often find on student credit cards, including:
- Price protection***
- Extended warranty***
- Car rental coverage***
- Roadside dispatch***
- Travel accident insurance***
- Complimentary concierge services
Best Flat-Rate Cash Back With 0% Intro APR: Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students
For those who prefer the simplicity of not having to keep track of bonus categories, the Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students is a strong choice. Along with a welcome bonus offer of $200 cash rewards bonus after making $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days from account opening, this card earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no caps.
New cardholders can also take advantage of an excellent 0% intro APR for your first 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account, followed by a 16.99% – 26.99% Variable APR. Whether you need to pay off your school supplies over time or are looking to splurge on a spring break trip, having a period of 0% interest can save you money. If you want to transfer a balance and have the opportunity to pay it down before interest kicks in, check out our picks for the best balance transfer credit cards for more options.
There’s no annual fee, but be aware the card adds foreign transaction fees, so it’s not a good choice for traveling outside the U.S.
Best for Travel and Study Abroad: Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students
Students who love to travel — especially overseas — should have a look at the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students. Just like the non-student version (Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card) it comes with a welcome bonus of 25,000 online bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days from account opening (redeemed as a $250 statement credit toward travel and dining purchases). Each point is worth 1 cent when you redeem for statement credits toward travel purchases, including airfare, hotels, rental cars, campgrounds, and even certain tourist attractions.
This is a good card if you don’t want to mess with complicated award charts or blackout dates, and its earning structure is simple — 1.5 points per dollar on all purchases, with no categories to keep track of. You’ll also get a 0% intro APR for your first 18 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made within the first 60 days of opening your account (then a 17.99% – 27.99% Variable APR) and no foreign transaction fees when you use the card on your adventures abroad.
Best for Extended 0% Intro APR: BankAmericard® Credit Card for Students
With one of the longest zero-interest credit card offers around (even among non-student credit cards), the BankAmericard® Credit Card for Students could be exactly what you need if you’re carrying high interest credit card debt or have large purchases coming up — like school expenses — you can’t pay off all at once.
New cardholders receive a 0% intro APR for the first 21 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers made within 60 days of account opening (then a 15.74% – 25.74% Variable APR). However, because the BankAmericard® for Students doesn’t come with a welcome bonus or earn rewards for spending, it’s not a good choice unless you’re specifically looking for an ultra-long intro APR.
Best for Rotating Bonus Categories: Discover it® Student Cash Back
The Discover it® Student Cash Back can put a lot of cash in your pocket — if you’re willing to do a little work for it. When you activate the bonus, you’ll earn 5% cash back in categories that rotate each quarter on up to $1,500 in combined spending (then 1%), and 1% back on everything else. Discover’s 5% cash-back categories often include popular merchants or types of purchases, like grocery stores, restaurants, and Amazon (from April 1 to June 30, 2024, you can earn 5% cash back at gas stations & electric vehicle charging stations, home improvement stores, and public transit on up to $1,500 in purchases after enrollment, then 1%).
While the card doesn’t offer a welcome bonus, Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. You’ll also receive a $50 statement credit if you refer a friend and they’re approved.
With the Discover it® Student Cash Back, you’ll get a 0% intro APR for six months on purchases (then a 18.24% – 27.24% Variable APR), and if you accidentally slip up and make a late payment, there’s no fee the first time it happens (afterward, it’s up to $41).
Best for Gas and Dining: Discover it® Student Chrome
The Discover it® Student Chrome is almost identical to the Discover it® Student Cash Back, with one key difference. Instead of offering 5% rotating quarterly cash-back categories, you’ll earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined spending each quarter (then 1%). All other purchases earn a flat 1% cash back.
The spending cap on the 2% categories is quite low ($1,000 per quarter, or about $333 a month), but if you’re able to maximize this bonus, it’s worth an extra $20 per quarter. Students who don’t spend a lot in these categories or who want better rewards across the board will likely do better with a different card.
Best for Building Credit: Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card
While not technically a student credit card, the Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card (card issued by WebBank) is a good option for young adults with very limited or no credit history. The issuer doesn’t just rely on traditional credit scores for approval; it also considers other factors such as banking history, income, and savings. What’s more, activity on this card is reported to all three major credit bureaus, which can give your credit score a boost over the long term if you pay off your balance on a consistent basis.
This is another card that gives cardholders an incentive to pay on time. Starting out, you’ll earn 1% cash back on eligible purchases, but after making six on-time payments, you’ll earn 1.25% back. After 12 months of paying on time, you’ll get a bump up to 1.5% back. You’ll also have the opportunity to earn bonus cash back (up to 10%) at select merchants.
Another bonus: The Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card doesn’t charge any fees, including for foreign transactions or late payments. However, the card doesn’t offer balance transfers or cash advances like most others do.
Best for Students Without SSNs: Firstcard® Credit Builder Card with Cashback for College Students
Students who don’t have a Social Security Number or other federal identification often struggle to enter the U.S. banking system and begin building credit and other foundations for financial success.
The Firstcard® Credit Builder Card with Cashback for College Students is designed to sidestep that obstacle. Firstcard offers a joint bank account and secured credit card product that doesn’t require a credit pull for approval.
Your credit “limit” on the Firstcard is equal to the amount of money you’ve deposited into your Firstcard bank account, which is used as security against your Firstcard charges. Firstcard reports payment activity to major credit bureaus every month, which helps cardholders begin building credit.
Firstcard members earn interest on the money kept in the bank account. Base-tier members earn 1.25% annual percentage yield (APY), and members pay $2.99 per month for Firstcard+ membership earn 4.25% APY.
Members also earn up to 10% cash back on every purchase, with additional bonuses available from select retail partners.
Firstcard does not charge for the usual card fees (unless you sign up for Firstcard+): No account management fees, annual fees, no interest, no late fees, no overdraft fees, no setup fees, and no foreign transaction fees.
Student Credit Card Frequently Asked Questions
College students should consider opening a student credit card as a great first step in building a solid credit history that will help them in years to come. As long as you use it responsibly, avoid carrying a balance, and make your payments on time, having a student credit card can help improve your credit score and make it easier to qualify for other types of credit, like loans and mortgages, in the future.
Yes, there are credit cards for students with no credit that are designed for those who have a limited or no credit history. These are typically easier to get approved for than regular credit cards. Other options include secured credit cards, which require a cash deposit, and starter credit cards, which are also geared toward folks who are building or rebuilding their credit.
The best student credit card for you depends on your spending habits and the types of rewards you like to earn. For example, if you spend a lot on dining, groceries, and entertainment, a card like the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card would be a great fit because it offers bonus rewards in those categories.
If you prefer a more hands-off approach, flat-rate rewards cards such as the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card or Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students could be a better pick. You should also consider a card’s extra benefits, like no foreign transaction fees (if you travel abroad a lot) and purchase protections (if you spend on big-ticket items) before you decide on the right one for your wallet.
Yes, you can get a student credit card in high school if you’re at least 18 years old. If you’re underage, you could still become an authorized user on a parent or guardian’s credit card until you’re old enough to apply for your own.
After you graduate, your student credit card may get converted by your bank into an equivalent, regular credit card. For instance, Discover it® Student Cash Back cardholders will have the Discover it® Cash Back card instead, but still earn the same rewards. You might also have the opportunity to upgrade your student card to a regular version that earns better rewards, depending on your issuer and credit profile.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose the Best Student Credit Cards
We looked at several factors when evaluating the top student credit cards that are currently available to new applicants:
- Simplicity — Does the card make it easy to redeem rewards, if any, and have a straightforward program? Are there lots of complicated terms and conditions?
- Earning potential — Does the card earn rewards, and do the bonus categories line up with typical student spending habits?
- Welcome bonus — Student cards that offer a sign-up bonus or other incentives are appealing, especially for those on a tight budget who could use a rewards boost.
- Options for different types of students — We included cards that appeal to all kinds of users, from products with a 0% APR offer to travel points and cash-back credit cards.
Learn more about how we rate credit cards at Business Insider.
SoFi Checking and Savings
Earn up to 4.60% APY on savings balances and up to a $300 bonus with qualifying direct deposit. FDIC Insured.
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